strong initial attack
what is Sforzando?
gradually slow down
what is Ritardando?
more motion; faster
what is Piu Mosso?
play with weighted quality
what is Pesante?
slow down
what is Rallentando?
plucking/bowing
what is Pizzicato/Arco?
less motion and softer (marked at a new phrase/section)
what is Meno Mosso?
musical form with three sections
more/very
hammers strike one less string in a piano; the soft pedal on a piano
what is Una Corda?
magically/majestically
what is Maestoso?
indicates that a musical element should be emphasized significantly
what is Assai?
a note held through changing harmonies
what is Pedal Point? (or Pedal Tone)
with vigor
what is Con Brio?
becoming gradually slower and more stately
what is Allargando?
gradually slower and softer (typically at the end of a phrase)
what is Morendo?
when singers sing or put words to instrumental parts/solos
what is Vocalise / Vocalese?
what is Cantabile?
in a spirited manner
what is Con Moto?
a collection of pieces played one after another (typically a dance)
what is a Suite?
a pre-existing melody forming the bass of a polyphonic composition
what is Cantus Firmus?
melodies that are built on top of an unchanging melody in the lowest voice part
what is Ground Bass?
Figured Bass (the roman numerals that indicate what the bass is singing/playing)
what is Basso Continuo?
melodic phrase repeated through a composition
what is Ostinato?
a musical passage performed by a soloist, played with skill and virtuosity
what is Cadenza?